Great American Smokeout 2009: Quit Smoking with Acupuncture

According to the 1982 Surgeon General's Report, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. That report is still accurate today. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 46.2 million American adults are current smokers - that is 22.8% of all adults; that's nearly one in four people. Even though lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, since smoking is a voluntary act, the mortality rate is preventable.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine wants to help defeat this high mortality rate and to celebrate the strength of those that have managed to quit smoking completely. With the aid of Oriental medicine, Pacific College offers help to those trying to quit and encourages giving up cigarettes for good.

One of the most effective methods to help quit smoking is acupuncture. These treatments help to curb cravings and ease the stress of quitting by utilizing auricular (ear) acupuncture, where four to five very small needles are inserted into points corresponding to the lung, kidney, and nervous system. It is thought that these needles increase the flow of endorphins, morphine-like hormones that induce a deep state of relaxation. This state is prolonged and leads to a lessening of cravings for nicotine and other drugs.

Since 1977, the American Cancer Society and Citizens for a Smokefree America have sponsored the Great American Smokeout, an event based on the idea that smokers who can manage to quit for a day can quit for good.

Pacific College's San Diego campus will be celebrating the Great American Smokeout, 2009 on Friday, November 20, 2009. On this day, San Diego will be offering $15 acupuncture treatments; geared toward addiction problems to help people quit smoking habits.

On November 20, 2009, Pacific College's Chicago campus will also be celebrating by offering free auricular acupuncture treatments from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Auricular acupuncture in particular can lessen a person's addictive tendencies and provide a sense of calm and purpose. Since the best results of acupuncture are achieved with consistent treatments, Chicago's clinic is offering a package of four auricular acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation, valued at $140, for only $110.

Pacific College's New York campus offers auricular acupuncture treatments, known for assisting in smoking cessation, for only 12 dollars.